Zoom lens

ABSTRACT

A zoom lens includes sequentially from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a negative refractive power. The zoom lens satisfies given conditions to implement a compact, wide angle, large aperture ratio zoom lens having excellent optical performance and compatible with solid state image sensors capable of recording full high vision images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a zoom lens suitable for an imaging apparatus equipped with a solid state image sensor, such as digital still camera and a digital video camera.

2. Description of the Related Art

Zoom lenses that are configured by 4 lens groups, capable of high zoom ratios, and used as imaging lens on digital still cameras and digital video cameras equipped with a solid state image sensor such as such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) are commonly known (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 4672860).

The zoom lens recited in Japanese Patent No. 4672860 includes sequentially from a side nearest an object (object side), first to fourth lens groups respectively having a positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers. In the zoom lens, the first and third lens groups are stationary, while the second lens group is moved in one direction to perform zooming and the fourth lens group is moved in a back and forth direction to correct image plane variation accompanying zooming and to perform focusing. The zoom ratio of the zoom lens is on the order of 25×; and the maximum angle of view is on the order of 58 degrees. With such a zoom lens formed by 4 lens groups, since there are 2 movable groups, configuration of the lens barrel can be simplified and the size of the lens system overall can be reduced.

A zoom lens that incorporates a stationary fifth lens group into the 4 lens group configuration above is further known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Nos. 4542933, 4823680, and 4823684). The zoom lenses recited in Japanese Patent Nos. 4542933, 4823680, and 4823684 each include from the object side, first to fifth lens groups respectively having a positive, negative, positive, positive, and negative refractive power. In the zoom lenses, the first, third, and fifth lens groups are stationary, while the second lens group is moved in one direction to perform zooming and the fourth lens group is moved in a back and forth direction to correct image plane variation accompanying zooming and to perform focusing.

The zoom ratio of the zoom lens recited in Japanese Patent No. 4542933 is on the order of 30×; and the maximum angle of view is on the order of 60 degrees. The zoom ratio of the zoom lens recited in Japanese Patent No. 4823680 is on the order of 35×; and the maximum angle of view is on the order of 73 degrees. The zoom ratio of the zoom lens recited in Japanese Patent No. 4823684 is on the order of 14×; and the maximum angle of view is on the order of 70 degrees.

Nonetheless, in addition to favorably correcting various types of aberration over the entire zoom range, large aperture ratios for wide angle views enabling the recording of images at dimly lit locations over a wider range are demanded of lens systems for surveillance cameras. Furthermore, accompanying the increased prevalence of solid state image sensors capable of full high vision image recording, lens systems compatible with full high vision solid state image sensors are demanded. Conventionally, demand has increased for a lens system for a surveillance camera equipped with a full high vision solid state image sensor to have extremely high optical performance capable of favorably correcting various types of aberration over the entire zoom range.

As conventional technologies, the zoom lenses above have difficulty in maintaining high optical performance in addition to achieving greater aperture ratios and a compact size. In other words, problems arise in attempting to realize wide angle views and greater aperture ratios, including a sacrifice of compactness, difficulty in correcting various types of aberration over the entire zoom range, and an inability to record full high vision images.

For example, with the conventional technologies, if the angle of view is to be increased, the front lens diameter has to be increased and the correction of coma and astigmatism at the wide angle edge becomes difficult. Furthermore, if the zoom ratio and resolution are to be increased, the overall length of the lens system increases or chromatic aberration at the telephoto edge becomes prominent and optical performance markedly deteriorates. In particular, if greater aperture ratios are to be realized, the correction of image plane curvature from the wide angle edge to the telephoto edge becomes difficult and high performance over the entire zoom range cannot be maintained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the above problems in the conventional technologies.

A zoom lens according to one aspect of the present invention includes sequentially from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a negative refractive power. The first lens group, the third lens group, and the fifth lens group remain stationary. The second lens group is moved along an optical axis, from the object side toward an image side, whereby zooming from a wide angle edge to a telephoto edge is performed. The fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis, whereby image plane variation accompanying zooming is corrected and focusing is performed. The second lens group includes sequentially from the object side, a first lens that is a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side and having at least one aspheric surface, a negative second lens, a positive third lens, and a negative fourth lens. The zoom lens satisfies a conditional expression (1) 1.5<|f21/FW|<2.5, and a conditional expression (2) 0.5<|rp/f21|<0.8, where, f21 is a focal length of the first lens in the second lens group, FW is a focal length of the entire optical system at the wide angle edge, and rp is a radius of curvature of a surface on the image side of the first lens of the second lens group.

The other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view (along the optical axis) of a zoom lens according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of various types of aberration occurring, with respect to the d-line, in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view (along the optical axis) of the zoom lens according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of various types of aberration occurring, with respect to the d-line, in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view (along the optical axis) of the zoom lens according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of various types of aberration occurring, with respect to the d-line, in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view (along the optical axis) of the zoom lens according to a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a diagram of various types of aberration occurring, with respect to the d-line, in the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of a zoom lens according to the present invention are explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The zoom lens according to the present invention includes sequentially from the object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a negative refractive power. The second lens group is moved along an optical axis, whereby zooming is performed from the wide angle edge to the telephoto edge. The fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis whereby image plane variation accompanying zooming is corrected and focusing is performed. The first lens group, the third lens group, and the fifth lens group remain stationary (the configuration above is referred to as a basic configuration).

An object of the present invention is to provide a high zoom ratio zoom lens that is compact and capable of wide angle views and that has a large aperture ratio and excellent optical performance, e.g., a zoom lens that is optimal for a compact imaging apparatus equipped with a solid state image sensor capable of recording images in full high vision. To achieve such an object, various conditions are set as indicated below.

In addition to the basic configuration, in the zoom lens according to the present invention, the second lens group includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first ions that is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side and having at least one aspheric surface, a negative second lens, a positive third lens, and a negative fourth lens. By forming an aspheric surface on the first lens disposed farthest on the object side of the second lens group, coma, astigmatism, and image plane curvature accompanying wide angle views and large aperture ratios can be easily corrected.

To favorably correct various types of aberration occurring with size reductions, wide angle views, and high zoom ratios, the zoom lens according to the present invention preferably satisfies the conditional expressions below, where f21 is the focal length of the first lens in the second lens group; FW is the focal length of the entire optical system at the wide angle edge; and rp is the radius of curvature of the surface on an image side (side nearest an image plane) of the first lens of the second lens group.

1.5<|f21/FW|<2.5  (1)

0.5<|rp/f21<0.8  (2)

Conditional expression (1) prescribes a proper range of the ratio of the focal length f21 of the first lens disposed farthest on the object side of the second lens group and the focal length FW of the entire optical system at the wide angle edge. Below the lower limit of conditional expression (1), the refractive power of the first lens in the second lens group becomes too strong. Although a stronger refractive power is advantageous in reducing the size of the optical system and in achieving wide angle views, the correction of various types of aberration becomes difficult. Above the upper limit of conditional expression (1), the refractive power of the first lens in the second lens group becomes too weak. Although a weaker refractive power is advantageous in correcting various types of aberration, reductions in the size of the optical system and wide angle views become difficult.

More favorable results can be expected if the zoom lens satisfies conditional expression (1) within the range indicated below.

1.8<|f21/FW|<2.3  (1a)

By satisfying conditional expression (1) within the range prescribed by conditional expression (1a), the zoom lens can achieve size reductions, wide angle views, and aberration correction with a better balance.

Conditional expression (2) prescribes the shape of the surface on the image side of the first lens that is in the second lens group and has a concave surface of a large curvature. By forming the surface on the image side of the first lens group to have a curvature within the range satisfying conditional expression (2), the surface on the image side of the first lens can be formed to be concentric with the entrance pupil and the occurrence of various types of aberration can be suppressed.

Below the lower limit of conditional expression (2), the radius of curvature of the surface on the image side of the first lens in the second lens group becomes too small, making processing difficult. Meanwhile, above the upper limit of conditional expression (2), although processing of the first lens becomes easy, concentricity with the entrance pupil is lost and the correction of various types of aberration becomes difficult.

In the zoom lens according to the present invention, to perform favorable correction of chromatic aberration (axial chromatic aberration, chromatic difference of magnification), the third lens and the fourth lens in the second lens group are cemented. In addition, the zoom lens preferably satisfies the conditional expression below, where νd23 is Abbe number (with respect to the d-line) of the third lens of the second lens group.

νd23<20  (3)

By satisfying conditional expression (3), the zoom lens can correct chromatic aberration caused by the second lens group as a whole since in the second lens group, the positive third lens causes chromatic aberration in a direction opposite to that of the chromatic aberration (axial chromatic aberration, chromatic difference of magnification) caused by the negative first and second lenses. Above the upper limit of conditional expression (2), chromatic aberration sufficient for performing correction cannot be caused at the third lens and as a result, the chromatic aberration caused by the second lens group as a whole increases.

In the zoom lens according to the present invention, the first lens group includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens, a positive second lens, a positive third lens, and a positive fourth lens. In the configuration, to favorably correct chromatic aberration at the telephoto edge of the optical system, the first lens and second lens in the first lens group are cemented. In addition, the zoom lens preferably satisfies the following conditional expression, where νd12 is the Abbe number (with respect to the d-line) of the second lens in the first lens group, and νd13 is the Abbe number (with respect to the d-line) of the third lens in the first lens group.

νd12>75  (4)

νd13>63  (5)

Conditional expressions (4) and (5) express conditions necessary to favorably correct chromatic aberration occurring at the telephoto edge of the optical system. Below the lower limit of either conditional expression (4) or conditional expression (5), chromatic aberration occurring at the telephoto edge of the optical system cannot be corrected.

In the zoom lens according to the present invention, the third lens group preferably includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens having at least one aspheric surface, and a negative second lens that is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side. Configuration of the third lens group in this manner enables spherical aberration and coma occurring over the entire zoom range to be favorably corrected.

As described, the zoom lens according to the present invention, by having the configuration described above, achieves size reductions, wide angle views, a large aperture ratio and a high zoom ratio, favorably corrects various types of aberration over the entire zoom range, and is compatible with full high vision solid state image sensors. In particular, by satisfying the conditional expressions above, the zoom lens can achieve size reductions, wide angle views, a large aperture ratio and a high zoom ratio, while maintaining high optical performance.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the zoom lens according to the present invention will be described in detail. Nonetheless, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments below.

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view (along the optical axis) of the zoom lens according to a first embodiment.

The zoom lens includes sequentially from a side nearest a non-depicted object (the object side), a first lens group G₁₁ having a positive refractive power, a second lens group G₁₂ having a negative refractive power, a third lens group G₁₃ having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G₁₄ having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group G₁₅ having a negative refractive power.

An aperture stop STP prescribing a given aperture is disposed between the second lens group G₁₂ and the third lens group G₁₃. A cover glass CG is disposed between the fifth lens group G₁₅ and an imaging plane IMG. The cover glass CG is disposed as necessary and may be omitted accordingly. At the image plane IMG, the light receiving surface of a solid state image sensor, such as a CCD and CMOS, is disposed.

The first lens group G₁₁ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₁₁₁, a positive second lens L₁₁₂, a positive third lens L₁₁₃, and a positive fourth lens L₁₁₄. The first lens L₁₁₁ and the second lens L₁₁₂ are cemented.

The second lens group G₂ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₁₂₁, a negative second lens L₁₂₂, a positive third lens L₁₂₃, and a negative fourth lens L₁₂₄. The first lens L₁₂₁ is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side and both surfaces of the first lens L₁₂₁ are aspheric. The third lens L₁₂₃ and the fourth lens L₁₂₄ are cemented.

The third lens group G₁₃ includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens L₁₃₁ and a negative second lens L₁₃₂. Both surfaces of the first lens L₁₃₁ are aspheric. The second lens L₁₃₂ is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side.

The fourth lens group G₁₄ includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens L₁₄₁ and a negative second lens L₁₄₂. The surface on the object side of the first lens L₁₄₁ is aspheric. The first lens L₁₄₁ and the second lens L₁₄₂ are cemented.

The fifth lens group G₁₅ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₁₅₁ and a positive second lens L₁₅₂. Both surfaces of the first lens L₁₅₁ are aspheric.

The second lens group G₁₂ is moved along the optical axis from the object side toward the imaging plane IMG side, whereby the zoom lens zooms from the wide angle edge to the telephoto edge. The fourth lens group G₁₄ is moved along the optical axis, whereby the zoom lens corrects image plane variations accompanying zooming and performs focusing. The first lens group G₁₁, the third lens group G₁₃, and the fifth lens group G₁₅ remain stationary.

Here, various values related to the zoom lens according to the first embodiment are given.

Focal length of entire lens system = 4.3 (FW: wide angle edge) to 24.0 (intermediate focal position) to 129.0 (telephoto edge) F number = 1.6 (wide angle edge) to 3.8 (intermediate focal position) to 4.9 (telephoto edge) Half-angle (ω) = 38.03 (wide angle edge) to 7.10 (intermediate focal position) to 1.32 (telephoto edge) (Lens Data) r₁ = 155.252 d₁ = 1.00 nd₁ = 1.84666 υd₁ = 23.78 r₂ = 40.511 d₂ = 5.75 nd₂ = 1.49700 υd₂ = 81.60 r₃ = −245.543 d₃ = 0.10 r₄ = 55.154 d₄ = 3.20 nd₃ = 1.59282 υd₃ = 68.63 r₅ = 382.377 d₅ = 0.10 r₆ = 31.841 d₆ = 3.50 nd₄ = 1.83481 υd₄ = 42.72 r₇ = 95.333 d₇ = D(7) (variable) r₈ = 73.450 (aspheric) d₈ = 0.70 nd₅ = 1.85135 υd₅ = 40.10 r₉ = 6.869 (aspheric) d₉ = 3.52 r₁₀ = −11.337 d₁₀ = 0.50 nd₆ = 1.88300 υd₆ = 40.80 r₁₁ = 339.750 d₁₁ = 0.10 r₁₂ = 23.770 d₁₂ = 2.00 nd₇ = 1.95906 υd₇ = 17.47 r₁₃ = −24.162 d₁₃ = 0.50 nd₈ = 1.88300 υd₈ = 40.80 r₁₄ = 104.181 d₁₄ = D(14) (variable) r₁₅ = ∞ (aperture stop) d₁₅ = 0.50 r₁₆ = 11.539 (aspheric) d₁₆ = 4.20 nd₉ = 1.61881 υd₉ = 63.85 r₁₇ = −30.000 (aspheric) d₁₇ = 0.10 r₁₈ = 19.101 d₁₈ = 0.80 nd₁₀ = 2.001 υd₁₀ = 29.13 r₁₉ = 10.836 d₁₉ = D(19) (variable) r₂₀ = 12.791 (aspheric) d₂₀ = 4.20 nd₁₁ = 1.4971 υd₁₁ = 81.56 r₂₁ = −9.500 d₂₁ = 0.60 nd₁₂ = 1.90366 υd₁₂ = 31.31 r₂₂ = −14.070 d₂₂ = D(22) (variable) r₂₃ = 28.595 (aspheric) d₂₃ = 0.50 nd₁₃ = 1.85135 υd₁₃ = 40.10 r₂₄ = 5.300 (aspheric) d₂₄ = 0.30 r₂₅ = 7.909 d₂₅ = 2.26 nd₁₄ = 1.56732 υd₁₄ = 42.80 r₂₆ = −16.411 d₂₆ = 1.00 r₂₇ = ∞ d₂₇ = 2.00 nd₁₅ = 1.51633 υd₁₅ = 64.14 r₂₈ = ∞ d₂₈ = 3.50 r₂₉ = ∞ (imaging plane) Constants of the cone (k) and aspheric coefficients (A, B, C, D) (eighth plane) k = 0, A = −4.57687 × 10⁻⁵, B = 6.79061 × 10⁻⁶, C = −2.31578 × 10⁻⁷, D = 2.42224 × 10⁻⁹ (ninth plane) k = 0.5967, A = −3.17031 × 10⁻⁴, B = −4.17155 × 10⁻⁶, C = 5.67706 × 10⁻⁷, D = −3.92278 × 10⁻⁸ (sixteenth plane) k = −0.1306, A = −4.08183 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.15089 × 10⁻⁶, C = 1.15662 × 10⁻⁸, D = −6.70182 × 10⁻¹¹ (seventeenth plane) k = −8.2910, A = 7.81968 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.89538 × 10⁻⁶, C = 2.76889 × 10⁻⁸, D = −1.55839 × 10⁻¹⁰ (twentieth plane) k = −0.1487, A = −4.90625 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.02186 × 10⁻⁶, C = 5.04342 × 10⁻¹⁰, D = 4.85594 × 10⁻¹⁰ (twenty-third plane) k = 0, A = −4.98290 × 10⁻⁴, B = −1.45444 × 10⁻⁵, C = 3.32964 × 10⁻⁶, D = −1.57350 × 10⁻⁷ (twenty-fourth plane) k = −0.1993, A = −4.77089 × 10⁻⁴, B = −3.50309 × 10⁻⁵, C = 3.89261 × 10⁻⁶, D = −2.07190 × 10⁻⁷ (Zoom Data) wide angle intermediate edge focal position telephoto edge D(7) 0.719 19.460 27.823 D(14) 28.930 10.189 1.825 D(19) 10.283 4.604 14.356 D(22) 4.687 10.366 0.614 (Values related to conditional expression (1)) f21 (focal length of first lens L₁₂₁) = −8.944 |f21/FW| = 2.08 (Values related to conditional expression (2)) rp (radius of curvature of surface on image side of first lens L₁₂₁) = 6.869 |rp/f21| = 0.768 (Values related to conditional expression (3)) υd23 (Abbe number of third lens L₁₂₃, with respect to d- line) = 17.47 (Values related to conditional expression (4)) υd12 (Abbe number of second lens L₁₁₂, with respect to d- line) = 81.60 (Values related to conditional expression (5)) υd13 (Abbe number of third lens L₁₁₃, with respect to d- line) = 68.63

FIG. 2 is a diagram of various types of aberration occurring, with respect to the d-line (λ=587.56 nm), in the zoom lens according to the first embodiment. S and M shown with respect to astigmatism, respectively indicate aberration at the sagittal image plane and at the meridonal image plane.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view (along the optical axis) of the zoom lens according to a second embodiment. The zoom lens includes sequentially from the object side, a first lens group G₂₁ having a positive refractive power, a second lens group G₂₂ having a negative refractive power, a third lens group G₂₃ having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G₂₄ having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group G₂₅ having a negative refractive power.

The aperture stop STP prescribing a given aperture is disposed between the second lens group G₂₂ and the third lens group G₂₃. The cover glass CG is disposed between the fifth lens group G₂₅ and the imaging plane IMG. The cover glass CG is disposed as necessary and may be omitted accordingly. At the image plane IMG, the light receiving surface of a solid state image sensor, such as a CCD and CMOS, is disposed.

The first lens group G₂₁ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₂₁₁, a positive second lens L₂₁₂, a positive third lens L₂₁₃, and a positive fourth lens L₂₁₄. The first lens L₂₁₁ and the second lens L₂₁₂ are cemented.

The second lens group G₂₂ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₂₂₁, a negative second lens L₂₂₂, a positive third lens L₂₂₃, and a negative fourth lens L₂₂₄. The first lens L₂₂₁ is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side and both surfaces of the first lens L₂₂₁ are aspheric. The third lens L₂₂₃ and the fourth lens L₂₂₄ are cemented.

The third lens group G₂₃ includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens L₂₃₁ and a negative second lens L₂₃₂. Both surfaces of the first lens L₂₃₁ are aspheric. The second lens L₂₃₂ is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side.

The fourth lens group G₂₄ includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens L₂₄₁ and a negative second lens L₂₄₂. The surface on the object side of the first lens L₂₄₁ is aspheric. The first lens L₂₄₁ and the second lens L₂₄₂ are cemented.

The fifth lens group G₂₅ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₂₅₁ and a positive second lens L₂₅₂. Both surfaces of the first lens L₂₅₁ are aspheric.

The second lens group G₂₂ is moved along the optical axis from the object side toward the imaging plane IMG side, whereby the zoom lens zooms from the wide angle edge to the telephoto edge. The fourth lens group G₂₄ is moved along the optical axis, whereby the zoom lens corrects image plane variations accompanying zooming and performs focusing. The first lens group G₂₁, the third lens group G₂₃, and the fifth lens group G₂₅ remain stationary.

Here, various values related to the zoom lens according to the second embodiment are given.

Focal length of entire lens system = 4.3 (FW: wide angle edge) to 24.0 (intermediate focal position) to 129.0 (telephoto edge) F number = 1.6 (wide angle edge) to 3.8 (intermediate focal position) to 4.9 (telephoto edge) Half-angle (ω) = 38.09 (wide angle edge) to 7.07 (intermediate focal position) to 1.32 (telephoto edge) (Lens Data) r₁ = 261.122 d₁ = 1.00 nd₁ = 1.84666 υd₁ = 23.78 r₂ = 41.992 d₂ = 6.00 nd₂ = 1.43700 υd₂ = 95.10 r₃ = −142.792 d₃ = 0.10 r₄ = 57.592 d₄ = 3.34 nd₃ = 1.61800 υd₃ = 63.39 r₅ = 1461.086 d₅ = 0.10 r₆ = 31.613 d₆ = 3.50 nd₄ = 1.88300 υd₄ = 40.80 r₇ = 91.274 d₇ = D(7) (variable) r₈ = 17.271 (aspheric) d₈ = 0.70 nd₅ = 1.85135 υd₅ = 40.10 r₉ = 5.629 (aspheric) d₉ = 3.82 r₁₀ = −11.166 d₁₀ = 0.50 nd₆ = 1.88300 υd₆ = 40.80 r₁₁ = 67.816 d₁₁ = 0.10 r₁₂ = 19.434 d₁₂ = 2.06 nd₇ = 1.95906 υd₇ = 17.47 r₁₃ = −27.282 d₁₃ = 0.50 nd₈ = 1.88300 υd₈ = 40.80 r₁₄ = 63.676 d₁₄ = D(14) (variable) r₁₅ = ∞ (aperture stop) d₁₅ = 0.50 r₁₆ = 11.267 (aspheric) d₁₆ = 4.40 nd₉ = 1.61881 υd₉ = 63.85 r₁₇ = −25.469 (aspheric) d₁₇ = 0.10 r₁₈ = 21.986 d₁₈ = 0.60 nd₁₀ = 2.001 υd₁₀ = 29.13 r₁₉ = 11.300 d₁₉ = D(19) (variable) r₂₀ = 13.021 (aspheric) d₂₀ = 4.18 nd₁₁ = 1.4971 υd₁₁ = 81.56 r₂₁ = −10.019 d₂₁ = 0.60 nd₁₂ = 1.90366 υd₁₂ = 31.31 r₂₂ = −13.773 d₂₂ = D(22) (variable) r₂₃ = 24.019 (aspheric) d₂₃ = 0.50 nd₁₃ = 1.85135 υd₁₃ = 40.10 r₂₄ = 5.699 (aspheric) d₂₄ = 0.54 r₂₅ = 16.318 d₂₅ = 2.11 nd₁₄ = 1.51633 υd₁₄ = 64.14 r₂₆ = −10.039 d₂₆ = 1.00 r₂₇ = ∞ d₂₇ = 2.00 nd₁₅ = 1.51633 υd₁₅ = 64.14 r₂₈ = ∞ d₂₈ = 3.50 r₂₉ = ∞ (imaging plane) Constants of the cone (k) and aspheric coefficients (A, B, C, D) (eighth plane) k = 0, A = −6.21082 × 10⁻⁴, B = 1.34413 × 10⁻⁵, C = −1.99187 × 10⁻⁷, D = 1.35410 × 10⁻⁹ (ninth plane) k = −0.0060, A = −7.63715 × 10⁻⁴, B = −1.36437 × 10⁻⁵, C = 7.63607 × 10⁻⁷, D = −2.94908 × 10⁻⁸ (sixteenth plane) k = −0.2311, A = −6.05478 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.25340 × 10⁻⁶, C = 1.67144 × 10⁻⁸, D = −8.95523 × 10⁻¹¹ (seventeenth plane) k = −4.7687, A = 6.98644 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.72352 × 10⁻⁶, C = 2.91064 × 10⁻⁸, D = −1.70266 × 10⁻¹⁰ (twentieth plane) k = −0.4887, A = −7.75303 × 10⁻⁵, B = −4.64307 × 10⁻⁷, C = −4.68979 × 10⁻¹¹, D = 2.32383 × 10⁻¹⁰ (twenty-third plane) k = 0, A = −6.68416 × 10⁻⁴, B = −3.85322 × 10⁻⁵, C = 7.43212 × 10⁻⁷, D = 6.05435 × 10⁻⁸ (twenty-fourth plane) k = −0.2788, A = −4.36169 × 10⁻⁴, B = −7.39966 × 10⁻⁵, C = 1.04310 × 10⁻⁶, D = 8.94196 × 10⁻⁸ (Zoom Data) wide angle intermediate edge focal position telephoto edge D(7) 0.600 19.459 27.778 D(14) 29.021 10.161 1.843 D(19) 9.668 4.480 13.573 D(22) 4.508 9.697 0.604 (Values related to conditional expression (1)) f21 (focal length of first lens L₂₂₁) = −10.088 |f21/FW| = 2.346 (Values related to conditional expression (2)) rp (radius of curvature of surface on image side of first lens L₂₂₁) = 5.629 |rp/f21| = 0.558 (Values related to conditional expression (3)) υd23 (Abbe number of third lens L₂₂₃, with respect to d- line) = 17.47 (Values related to conditional expression (4)) υd12 (Abbe number of second lens L₂₁₂, with respect to d- line) = 95.10 (Values related to conditional expression (5)) υd13 (Abbe number of third lens L₂₁₃, with respect to d- line) = 63.39

FIG. 4 is a diagram of various types of aberration occurring, with respect to the d-line (λ=587.56 nm), in the zoom lens according to the second embodiment. S and M shown with respect to astigmatism, respectively indicate aberration at the sagittal image plane and at the meridonal image plane.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view (along the optical axis) of the zoom lens according to a third embodiment. The zoom lens includes sequentially from the object side, a first lens group G₃₁ having a positive refractive power, a second lens group G₃₂ having a negative refractive power, a third lens group G₃₃ having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G₃₄ having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group G₃₅ having a negative refractive power.

The aperture stop STP prescribing a given aperture is disposed between the second lens group G₃₂ and the third lens group G₃₃. The cover glass CG is disposed between the fifth lens group G₃₅ and the imaging plane IMG. The cover glass CG is disposed as necessary and may be omitted accordingly. At the image plane IMG, the light receiving surface of a solid state image sensor, such as a CCD and CMOS, is disposed.

The first lens group G₃₁ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₃₁₁, a positive second lens L₃₁₂, a positive third lens L₃₁₃, and a positive fourth lens L₃₁₄. The first lens L₃₁₁ and the second lens L₃₁₂ are cemented.

The second lens group G₃₂ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₃₂₁, a negative second lens L₃₂₂, a positive third lens L₃₂₃, and a negative fourth lens L₃₂₄. The first lens L₃₂₁ is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side and both surfaces of the first lens L₃₂₁ are aspheric. The third lens L₃₂₃ and the fourth lens L₃₂₄ are cemented.

The third lens group G₃₃ includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens L₃₃₁ and a negative second lens L₃₃₂. Both surface of the first lens L₃₃₁ as aspheric. The second lens L₃₃₂ is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side.

The fourth lens group G₃₄ includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens L₃₄₁ and a negative second lens L₃₄₂. The surface on the object side of the first lens L₃₄₁ is aspheric. The first lens L₃₄₁ and the second lens L₃₄₂ are cemented.

The fifth lens group G₃₅ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₃₅₁ and a positive second lens L₃₅₂. Both surfaces of the first lens L₃₅₁ are aspheric.

The second lens group G₃₂ is moved along the optical axis from the object side toward the imaging plane IMG side, whereby the zoom lens zooms from the wide angle edge to the telephoto edge. The fourth lens group G₃₄ is moved along the optical axis, whereby the zoom lens corrects image plane variations accompanying zooming and performs focusing. The first lens group G₃₁, the third lens group G₃₃, and the fifth lens group G₃₅ remain stationary.

Here, various values related to the zoom lens according to the third embodiment are given.

Focal length of entire lens system = 4.3 (FW: wide angle edge) to 24.0 (intermediate focal position) to 129.0 (telephoto edge) F number = 1.6 (wide angle edge) to 3.8 (intermediate focal position) to 4.9 (telephoto edge) Half-angle (ω) = 37.93 (wide angle edge) to 7.09 (intermediate focal position) to 1.32 (telephoto edge) (Lens Data) r₁ = 143.132 d₁ = 1.00 nd₁ = 1.84666 υd₁ = 23.78 r₂ = 40.225 d₂ = 5.80 nd₂ = 1.43700 υd₂ = 95.10 r₃ = −220.562 d₃ = 0.10 r₄ = 57.824 d₄ = 3.28 nd₃ = 1.59282 υd₃ = 68.63 r₅ = 575.311 d₅ = 0.10 r₆ = 32.258 d₆ = 3.68 nd₄ = 1.83481 υd₄ = 42.72 r₇ = 106.337 d₇ = D(7) (variable) r₈ = 53.938 (aspheric) d₈ = 0.70 nd₅ = 1.85135 υd₅ = 40.10 r₉ = 6.852 (aspheric) d₉ = 3.63 r₁₀ = −10.409 d₁₀ = 0.50 nd₆ = 1.88300 υd₆ = 40.80 r₁₁ = −119.311 d₁₁ = 0.10 r₁₂ = 32.375 d₁₂ = 1.99 nd₇ = 1.95906 υd₇ = 17.47 r₁₃ = −18.558 d₁₃ = 0.50 nd₈ = 1.88300 υd₈ = 40.80 r₁₄ = 246.052 d₁₄ = D(14) (variable) r₁₅ = ∞ (aperture stop) d₁₅ = 0.50 r₁₆ = 11.250 (aspheric) d₁₆ = 4.50 nd₉ = 1.61881 υd₉ = 63.85 r₁₇ = −25.151 (aspheric) d₁₇ = 0.14 r₁₈ = 25.680 d₁₈ = 0.70 nd₁₀ = 2.001 υd₁₀ = 29.13 r₁₉ = 12.179 d₁₉ = D(19) (variable) r₂₀ = 12.463 (aspheric) d₂₀ = 4.21 nd₁₁ = 1.4971 υd₁₁ = 81.56 r₂₁ = −10.285 d₂₁ = 0.60 nd₁₂ = 1.90366 υd₁₂ = 31.31 r₂₂ = −14.345 d₂₂ = D(22) (variable) r₂₃ = 34.622 (aspheric) d₂₃ = 0.50 nd₁₃ = 1.85135 υd₁₃ = 40.10 r₂₄ = 4.280 (aspheric) d₂₄ = 0.11 r₂₅ = 5.105 d₂₅ = 2.54 nd₁₄ = 1.54814 υd₁₄ = 45.82 r₂₆ = −18.427 d₂₆ = 1.00 r₂₇ = ∞ d₂₇ = 2.00 nd₁₅ = 1.51633 υd₁₅ = 64.14 r₂₈ = ∞ d₂₈ = 3.50 r₂₉ = ∞ (imaging plane) Constants of the cone (k) and aspheric coefficients (A, B, C, D) (eighth plane) k = 0, A = −1.10104 × 10⁻⁴, B = 6.86574 × 10⁻⁶, C = −1.80314 × 10⁻⁷, D = 1.77529 × 10⁻⁹ (ninth plane) k = 0.5559, A = −3.93632 × 10⁻⁴, B = −6.30197 × 10⁻⁶, C = 4.84720 × 10⁻⁷, D = −2.99161 × 10⁻⁸ (sixteenth plane) k = −0.1935, A = −5.34967 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.15951 × 10⁻⁶, C = 1.21900 × 10⁻⁸, D = −9.39982 × 10⁻¹¹ (seventeenth plane) k = −6.7682, A = 7.38246 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.90295 × 10⁻⁶, C = 2.73786 × 10⁻⁸, D = −1.67159 × 10⁻¹⁰ (twentieth plane) k = −0.4009, A = −6.89337 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.52572 × 10⁻⁶, C = 1.76743 × 10⁻⁸, D = 1.60421 × 10⁻¹⁰ (twenty-third plane) k = 0, A = −4.81453 × 10⁻⁴, B = −1.75639 × 10⁻⁵, C = 1.83475 × 10⁻⁶, D = −9.28491 × 10⁻⁸ (twenty-fourth plane) k = −0.2457, A = −4.55109 × 10⁻⁴, B = −5.44365 × 10⁻⁵, C = 3.09526 × 10⁻⁶, D = −2.17589 × 10⁻⁷ (Zoom Data) wide angle intermediate edge focal position telephoto edge D(7) 0.600 19.976 28.485 D(14) 29.696 10.320 1.811 D(19) 9.466 4.418 12.865 D(22) 4.116 9.164 0.717 (Values related to conditional expression (1)) f21 (focal length of first lens L₃₂₁) = −9.283 |f21/FW| = 2.159 (Values related to conditional expression (2)) rp (radius of curvature of surface on image side of first lens L₃₂₁) = 6.852 |rp/f21| = 0.738 (Values related to conditional expression (3)) υd23 (Abbe number of third lens L₃₂₃, with respect to d- line) = 17.47 (Values related to conditional expression (4)) υd12 (Abbe number of second lens L₃₁₂, with respect to d- line) = 95.10 (Values related to conditional expression (5)) υd13 (Abbe number of third lens L₃₁₃, with respect to d- line) = 68.63

FIG. 6 is a diagram of various types of aberration occurring, with respect to the d-line (λ=587.56 nm), in the zoom lens according to the third embodiment. S and M shown with respect to astigmatism, respectively indicate aberration at the sagittal image plane and at the moridonal image plane.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view (along the optical axis) of the zoom lens according to a fourth embodiment. The zoom lens includes sequentially from the object side, a first lens group G₄₁ having a positive refractive power, a second lens group G₄₂ having a negative refractive power, a third lens group G₄₃ having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G₄₄ having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group G₄₅ having a negative refractive power.

The aperture stop STP prescribing a given aperture is disposed between the second lens group G₄₂ and the third lens group G₄₃. The cover glass CG is disposed between the fifth lens group G₄₅ and the imaging plane IMG. The cover glass CG is disposed as necessary and may be omitted accordingly. At the image plane IMG, the light receiving surface of a solid state image sensor, such as a CCD and CMOS, is disposed.

The first lens group G₄₁ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₄₁₁, a positive second lens L₄₁₂, a positive third lens L₄₁₃, and a positive fourth lens L₄₁₄. The first lens L₄₁₁ and the second lens L₄₁₂ are cemented.

The second lens group G₄₂ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₄₂₃, a negative second lens L₄₂₂, a positive third lens L₄₂₃, and a negative fourth lens L₄₂₄. The first lens L₄₂₁ is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side and both surfaces of the first lens L₄₂₁ are aspheric. The third lens L₄₂₃ and the fourth lens L₄₂₄ are cemented.

The third lens group G₄₃ includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens L₄₃₁ and a negative second lens L₄₃₂. Both surfaces of the first lens L₄₃₁ are aspheric. The second lens L₄₃₂ is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side.

The fourth lens group G₄₄ includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens L₄₄₁ and a negative second lens L₄₄₂. The surface on the object side of the first lens L₄₄₁ is aspheric. The first lens L₄₄₁ and the second lens L₄₄₂ are cemented.

The fifth lens group G₄₅ includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens L₄₅₁ and a positive second lens L₄₅₂. Both surfaces of the first lens L₄₅₁ are aspheric.

The second lens group G₄₂ is moved along the optical axis from the object side toward the imaging plane IMG side, whereby the zoom lens zooms from the wide angle edge to the telephoto edge. The fourth lens group G₄₄ is moved along the optical axis, whereby the zoom lens corrects image plane variations accompanying zooming and performs focusing. The first lens group G₄₁, the third lens group G₄₃, and the fifth lens group G₄₅ remain stationary.

Here, various values related to the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment are given.

Focal length of entire lens system = 4.3 (FW: wide angle edge) to 24.0 (intermediate focal position) to 129.0 (telephoto edge) F number = 1.6 (wide angle edge) to 3.8 (intermediate focal position) to 4.9 (telephoto edge) Half-angle (ω) = 38.01 (wide angle edge) to 7.10 (intermediate focal position) to 1.32 (telephoto edge) (Lens Data) r₁ = 144.159 d₁ = 1.00 nd₁ = 1.84666 υd₁ = 23.78 r₂ = 38.899 d₂ = 5.80 nd₂ = 1.49700 υd₂ = 81.60 r₃ = −273.198 d₃ = 0.10 r₄ = 52.998 d₄ = 3.31 nd₃ = 1.59282 υd₃ = 68.63 r₅ = 378.875 d₅ = 0.10 r₆ = 31.113 d₆ = 3.57 nd₄ = 1.83481 υd₄ = 42.72 r₇ = 92.838 d₇ = D(7) (variable) r₈ = 76.499 (aspheric) d₈ = 0.70 nd₅ = 1.85135 υd₅ = 40.10 r₉ = 6.041 (aspheric) d₉ = 3.30 r₁₀ = −12.953 d₁₀ = 0.50 nd₆ = 1.88300 υd₆ = 40.80 r₁₁ = 71.416 d₁₁ = 0.10 r₁₂ = 18.115 d₁₂ = 1.99 nd₇ = 1.94594 υd₇ = 17.98 r₁₃ = −26.555 d₁₃ = 0.50 nd₈ = 1.88300 υd₈ = 40.80 r₁₄ = 95.601 d₁₄ = D(14) (variable) r₁₅ = ∞ (aperture stop) d₁₅ = 0.50 r₁₆ = 11.217 (aspheric) d₁₆ = 4.40 nd₉ = 1.61881 υd₉ = 63.85 r₁₇ = −25.000 (aspheric) d₁₇ = 0.96 r₁₈ = 22.880 d₁₈ = 0.60 nd₁₀ = 2.001 υd₁₀ = 29.13 r₁₉ = 10.741 d₁₉ = D(19) (variable) r₂₀ = 11.970 (aspheric) d₂₀ = 4.20 nd₁₁ = 1.4971 υd₁₁ = 81.56 r₂₁ = −9.300 d₂₁ = 0.60 nd₁₂ = 1.90366 υd₁₂ = 31.31 r₂₂ = −13.445 d₂₂ = D(22) (variable) r₂₃ = 41.730 (aspheric) d₂₃ = 0.50 nd₁₃ = 1.85135 υd₁₃ = 40.10 r₂₄ = 6.749 (aspheric) d₂₄ = 0.49 r₂₅ = 17.244 d₂₅ = 2.13 nd₁₄ = 1.56732 υd₁₄ = 42.80 r₂₆ = −10.867 d₂₆ = 1.00 r₂₇ = ∞ d₂₇ = 2.00 nd₁₅ = 1.51633 υd₁₅ = 64.14 r₂₈ = ∞ d₂₈ = 3.50 r₂₉ = ∞ (imaging plane) Constants of the cone (k) and aspheric coefficients (A, B, C, D) (eighth plane) k = 0, A = −2.65503 × 10⁻⁴, B = 1.28344 × 10⁻⁵, C = −3.59136 × 10⁻⁷, D = 3.83400 × 10⁻⁹ (ninth plane) k = 0.3239, A = −5.45623 × 10⁻⁴, B = −7.61065 × 10⁻⁶, C = 7.83466 × 10⁻⁷, D = −5.46724 × 10⁻⁸ (sixteenth plane) k = −0.1982, A = −5.20814 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.30668 × 10⁻⁶, C = 1.67967 × 10⁻⁸, D = −1.13589 × 10⁻¹⁰ (seventeenth plane) k = −6.0844, A = −7.14760 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.84345 × 10⁻⁶, C = 2.96044 × 10⁻⁸, D = −1.85685 × 10⁻¹⁰ (twentieth plane) k = −0.2645, A = −5.95055 × 10⁻⁵, B = −1.16644 × 10⁻⁶, C = 7.95351 × 10⁻⁹, D = 3.24336 × 10⁻¹⁰ (twenty-third plane) k = 0, A = −3.71965 × 10⁻⁴, B = −2.63704 × 10⁻⁵, C = 2.26085 × 10⁻⁶, D = −6.30326 × 10⁻⁸ (twenty-fourth plane) k = 0.0775, A = −2.57754 × 10⁻⁴, B = −3.45586 × 10⁻⁵, C = 9.86053 × 10⁻⁷, D = 3.54356 × 10⁻¹⁰ (Zoom Data) wide angle intermediate edge focal position telephoto edge D(7) 0.897 19.167 27.163 D(14) 28.094 9.824 1.828 D(19) 10.148 4.496 14.112 D(22) 4.564 10.216 0.600 (Values related to conditional expression (1)) f21 (focal length of first lens L₄₂₁) = −7.740 |f21/FW| = 1.8 (Values related to conditional expression (2)) rp (radius of curvature of surface on image side of first lens L₄₂₁) = 6.041 |rp/f21| = 0.781 (Values related to conditional expression (3)) υd23 (Abbe number of third lens L₄₂₃, with respect to d- line) = 17.98 (Values related to conditional expression (4)) υd12 (Abbe number of second lens L₄₁₂, with respect to d- line) = 81.60 (Values related to conditional expression (5)) υd13 (Abbe number of third lens L₄₁₃, with respect to d- line) = 68.63

FIG. 8 is a diagram of various types of aberration occurring, with respect to the d-line (λ=587.56 nm), in the zoom lens according to the fourth embodiment. S and M shown with respect to astigmatism, respectively indicate aberration at the sagittal image plane and at the meridonal image plane.

Among the values for each of the embodiments, r₁, r₂, . . . indicate radii of curvature for each lens, aperture stop surface, etc.; d₁, d₂, . . . indicate the thickness of the lenses, aperture stop, etc. or the distance between surfaces thereof; nd₁, nd₂, . . . indicate the refraction index of each lens with respect to the d-line (λ=587.56 nm); and νd₁, νd₂, . . . indicate the Abbe number of each lens with respect to the d-line (λ=587.56 nm). Lengths are indicated in units of [mm] and angles are indicated in [degrees].

Each of the aspheric surfaces above is expressed by the following equation, where Z is the depth of the aspheric surface, R is the paraxial radius of curvature, h is the height from the optical axis, and the traveling direction of light is positive.

$\begin{matrix} {Z = {\frac{y^{2}}{R\left\{ {1 + {1\sqrt{1 - {\left( {1 + k} \right){y/R^{2}}}}}} \right\}^{2}} + {Ay}^{4} + {By}^{6} + {Cy}^{8} + {Dy}^{10}}} & \lbrack 1\rbrack \end{matrix}$

Further, k is the constant of the cone, and A, B, C, and D are the fourth, the sixth, the eighth, and the tenth order aspheric coefficients, respectively.

As described, the zoom lens of each of the embodiments includes lenses having suitable aspheric surfaces and cemented lenses and by satisfying the conditional expressions above, achieves wide angle views of 75 degrees or more and a large aperture ratio of an F number on the order of 1.6, and can implement an imaging lens that is compact and has high optical performance as well as a high zoom ratio (on the order of 30×) and that is suitable for compact imaging apparatuses equipped with a full high vision solid state image sensors.

As described, the zoom lens according to the present invention is useful for compact imaging apparatuses equipped with a solid state image sensor, such as a digital still camera and a digital video camera. In particular, the zoom lens is optimal for a surveillance camera equipped with a full high vision solid state image sensor.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.

The present document incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese priority document, 2012-042553 filed in Japan on Feb. 28, 2012. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A zoom lens comprises sequentially from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a negative refractive power, wherein the first lens group, the third lens group, and the fifth lens group remain stationary, the second lens group is moved along an optical axis, from the object side toward an image side, whereby zooming from a wide angle edge to a telephoto edge is performed, the fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis, whereby image plane variation accompanying zooming is corrected and focusing is performed, the second lens group includes sequentially from the object side, a first lens that is a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side and having at least one aspheric surface, a negative second lens, a positive third lens, and a negative fourth lens, and the zoom lens satisfies: a conditional expression (1) 1.5<|f21/FW|<2.5, and a conditional expression (2) 0.5<|rp/f21|<0.8, where, f21 is a focal length of the first lens in the second lens group, FW is a focal length of the entire optical system at the wide angle edge, and rp is a radius of curvature of a surface on the image side of the first lens of the second lens group.
 2. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the third lens and the fourth lens in the second lens group are cemented, and the zoom lens satisfies a conditional expression (3) νd23<20, where, νd23 is an Abbe number, with respect to d-line, of the third lens in the second lens group.
 3. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the first lens group includes sequentially from the object side, a negative first lens, a positive second lens, a positive third lens, and a positive fourth lens, the first lens and the second lens in the first lens group are cemented, and the zoom lens satisfies: a conditional expression (4) νd12>75, and a conditional expression (5) νd13>63, where, νd12 is an Abbe number, with respect to the d-line, of the second lens in the first lens group, νd13 is an Abbe number, with respect to the d-line, of the third lens in the first lens group.
 4. The zoom lens according to claim 1, wherein the third lens group includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens having at least one aspheric surface and a negative second lens that is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side.
 5. The zoom lens according to claim 2, wherein the third lens group includes sequentially from the object side, a positive first lens having at least one aspheric surface and a negative second lens that is a meniscus lens having a convex surface on the object side. 